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Radiohead stage collapse: Charges laid in fatal accident

Three corporations and an engineer face a total of 13 charges in last summer’s fatal Radiohead stage collapse in Downsview.

An aerial view shows a collapsed stage in Toronto's Downsview Park, which killed a technician and injured three people. The collapse of the stage forced the cancellation of a sold-out Radiohead concert. (TARA WALTON / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO)

Radiohead drum technician Scott Johnson, 33, died after a massive stage collpased in Downsview last June, forcing the cancellation of the band's sold-out show. Ontario's Ministry of Labour laid 13 charges Friday against three corporations and an engineer in the accident.

The investigation into the fatal stage collapse at a Radiohead concert last summer has ended in 13 charges against Live Nation, a staging company and an engineer.

The Ministry of Labour announced the charges Friday, just shy of the one-year anniversary of the collapse at Downsview Park. Scott Johnson, a 33-year-old drum technician, was killed and three others were injured at the sold-out show.

“It will never bring Scott back, but (the charges are) a little bit of closure,” said Paul Bonney, Johnson’s best friend and the drummer for the Australian Pink Floyd Show.

As well was working for Radiohead, Johnson was Bonney’s drum tech.

“A day doesn’t go by without me thinking of Scott; he was my best mate,” Bonney said. “When I first went back on the road . . . I was in tears.”

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The charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act include eight against constructor Live Nation Canada Inc. and Live Nation Ontario Concerts GP Inc.

The ministry alleges that Live Nation failed to ensure the structure was designed and constructed to support or resist all likely loads and forces, it was adequately braced, there were no excessive loads and every employer complied with the act.

Live Nation said in a statement that the company “wholeheartedly” disagrees with the charges in the “tragic incident” because it did everything possible to ensure safety.

“We will vigorously defend ourselves and we are confident that through this process the facts will come to light and we will be exonerated,” the company said, adding it has a new staging contractor.

Optex Staging & Services Inc., which did not return calls and emails, faces four charges. The ministry’s allegations against Optex are similar to the ones against Live Nation, as well as failing to ensure part of a workplace was capable of supporting loads that might be applied to it.

The maximum fine against a corporation, if convicted, is $500,000 per charge, said ministry spokesman Matt Blajer. Individuals face $25,000 per charge or up to a year in prison.

Blajer said the “complex investigation” has also resulted in a charge against Bolton, Ont., engineer Domenic Cugliari.

Cugliari, who could not be reached for comment, is charged with endangering a worker, resulting from his advice or certification, made negligently or incompetently.

No matter what happens at the trial, expected to begin June 27, Bonney said he and his other band members are always thinking about safety at shows, now that Johnson isn’t there.

“He was the best in the business,” Bonney said, remembering his friend, who grew up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and was known for his talent and sense of humour.

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